Junior Kaylee Gary has always loved singing. In the past, that was never an option for her.

Now Kaylee is achieving her dreams, but she never thought that the path to her dreams would include someone’s death.

“When my mom got cancer it had an impact on my whole family,” Kaylee said. “She fought cancer for years and not once did she ever give up. My mom kept pushing through and she gives me a reason to keep going, especially when things get difficult.”

Even in her most difficult times, Kaylee thinks of her mom, Shasta Sisson and keeps pushing. Kaylee is now achieving things she never thought she could do because they were merely dreams. She gives thanks to Mrs. Sisson for where she is now because her dreams have become a future possibility.

“If I set my mind to it, then I can achieve it…nothing is impossible,” Kaylee said, “I’m always trying to think positively.”

Now that choir is an option, Kaylee can achieve her dream. She has always loved singing from a young age and over time it has become a big part of her life.

“I’ve always sang throughout my childhood,” She said, “I loved singing “Big Green Tractor” by Jason Aldean.” “Because I lived in a small town, there was never an opportunity to sing, instead I was forced to join band. If I didn’t move to Stephenville then I think my passion for singing would be lost, and I would forget how good singing makes me feel.”

Although Kaylee always had a passion to sing ever since she could talk, she felt limited to what she could achieve back in her small town. And it was especially hard when her mom fell ill.

“My mom was diagnosed with cancer when I was four and she sadly passed when I turned twelve.” Kaylee said, “We were in a tough situation throughout my mom’s illness and it affected my family a lot.”

Kaylee’s life was not like most. Due to the loss of her mother she was in a depressive state, but things just kept adding up.

“Because my mom had cancer, she was getting chemo in Houston which led her to not be with us a lot of the time and my dad was not really there either, so that left me and my two sisters with my grandmother.” Kaylee said, “ I had to grow up in a crowded home because my cousins and other family members lived with us along with me and my sisters. It was really rough on me because I felt that my grandma treated my cousins better and she favored them over my sisters and me.”

Kaylee did not have the best family growing up, but she loved them. Looking towards the future, Kaylee wants to have her own healthy and happy family. A family where she can be herself. Even after she moved away from her family in her small town, Kaylee still faced hardships.

“I have an amazing boyfriend who keeps my head up, and he also motivates me along with my mother,” Kaylee said, ”But before him, I wasn’t in the best relationship.”

Kaylee said that when she was dating her ex-boyfriend, she stopped eating and she didn’t hydrate enough. She would find herself laying in bed wanting to do nothing the whole day.

“After I broke up with my ex-boyfriend, I felt better and I started caring more about skincare and my health.” Kaylee said, “I noticed I started eating three full meals everyday, instead of skipping lunch or dinner, and I started to care more about drinking water.”

After finding people to help her push through bad times and help her keep moving, Kaylee found it more achievable to reach for the stars and finally live out her dreams.

“Ever since I could talk, I have been singing.” Kaylee said, “ The elementary and junior high back in my old town did not have a choir, so I couldn’t really practice in front of crowds. My dreams of participating on the show, America’s Got Talent, was crushed.”

Kaylee had big dreams that she didn’t think would accomplish when she was younger. But now, though still a little hesitant, Kaylee feels like they were closer than she thought.

“Now that I have been in the school’s choir for more than two years, I have grown more confident about my dreams. Singing on America’s Got Talent does seem hard and a little scary, but I’m very confident that I’ll get there someday.

This year is Kaylee’s first time being in the varsity choir, and though she didn’t think she would fit in, she does now.

“When I got my school schedule, I discovered that I was placed in the varsity choir,” Kaylee said, “I was surprised and happy at the same time. Turns out that I was placed in the varsity because of a conflict with another class, but I knew that I would be amazing. The only thing that troubled me was fitting in.”

Kaylee said that though she knew she wouldn’t have a problem in the top level choir, fitting in was a different story. She didn’t know anyone and knew she would have to make new friends.

“Finding friends in choir was hard because even though I knew some people, I never talked to them before,” Kaylee said, “Eventually I did find a group for me and my amazing teacher, Mrs. Sword, told me that I’m a good fit for the choir. I couldn’t be happier.”

Kaylee did not have an amazing childhood, but that has made her the person she is today. She admires mother for her dedication throughout her cancer. And Kaylee knows that her dreams became a bigger possibility because of her mother.

“I’m a better person now than I was seven years ago.” Kaylee said, “I strive to continue becoming a better person. It did get easier after my mom’s passing, but I still had more obstacles to overcome. My parents had a big effect on me and I hope I can use them as a reminder to keep moving forward.”